President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, June 13, 2025, officially commissioned the newly completed 3.64-kilometer Arterial Road N16 in Abuja, the nation’s capital. This vital artery, constructed by the Chinese firm CGC Nigeria Limited, was hailed by the President as a testament to his administration’s commitment to progress under the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The commissioning of the N16 road marks one of the landmark projects of the Federal Capital Territory Administration during President Tinubu’s second year in office. Spanning the prestigious Maitama District and extending connectivity to developing areas like Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari, the road, complete with accompanying interchanges and feeder roads, is set to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Central Abuja.
“What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realized,” President Tinubu declared during the ceremony. He emphasized that the road’s completion would not only improve connectivity but also stimulate housing and business growth, serving as a crucial foundation for future city integration. The President also commended the seamless relocation and compensation process for local communities affected by the development, urging citizens to embrace and protect the new infrastructure for sustained growth and economic opportunity.
Remarkably, the project’s execution has been exceptionally swift. The contract was awarded by Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council to CGC Nigeria in September 2024, with construction commencing just one month later. The road was completed in a mere eight months, a full four months ahead of its projected one-year timeline – a rare feat in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Zhong Xiang, Managing Director of CGC Nigeria, attributed this efficiency to the strong bond between the two nations. “The spirit of trust and friendship between China and Nigeria buoyed our confidence,” he told Xinhua. He also highlighted the substantial local economic impact, noting that “Throughout the construction, we created over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting local economic activities.” Mr. Xiang affirmed that the project’s timely completion aligns perfectly with the Nigerian president’s vision for infrastructural development.
This project underscores a broader trend of robust infrastructure partnerships between African nations and Chinese firms. Such collaborations are increasingly pivotal in addressing Africa’s pressing infrastructure deficits, often delivering projects with remarkable speed and contributing significantly to local employment and skill development. The N16 arterial road stands as a shining example of how targeted investments in transport infrastructure can unlock economic potential, foster social integration, and lay the groundwork for sustainable urban development in Africa’s rapidly growing cities. Its success in Abuja offers a compelling blueprint for other African capitals striving to enhance connectivity and improve the lives of their citizens.
